Palos Heights voters back rec center upgrade

Palos Heights voters appeared to overwhelmingly approve a $6.3 million bond issue to upgrade the city's aging recreation center.

"We couldn't be happier with the result," said Michael Gilhooly, who organized support for the referendum proposal. "The range of support has cut across the board from younger folks who live in the community to seniors to middle-aged folks. All on the same page."

Plans call for a new gymnasium, a wellness center with fitness equipment and a three-lane indoor path for walking and jogging. The existing space will be converted into community meeting rooms, a teen center, preschool area, an instructional kitchen and a multipurpose room that could host banquets. The additional space will allow the center to launch more than two dozen new programs and expand 15 others.

The building at 6601 W. 127th St., which began life as a school in the 1950s, was the subject of a failed 2004 referendum plan seeking $16.6 million in improvements.

On Tuesday, with 13 of 14 precincts reporting, voters backed the project by a nearly 2-1 ratio, according to unofficial totals. The measure is expected to cost the owner of a $300,000 home about $90 more a year in property taxes for the life of the 20-year bonds.

"Maybe the voters weren't quite concerned about the property tax and maybe they weren't in tuned as to what the rate could be," said Ald. Dolores Kramarski, who opposed the cost. "Nevertheless, it passed and I hope it's very successful. I hope people utilize the facility and I hope they enjoy it."

Gilhooly led Citizens for Remodeled Recreation Center, a political action committee that raised more than $7,000 in support of the project, distributed more than 500 yard signs and sent out two mailings. He said the effort was backed by more than 140 volunteers, many of whom cheered the victory Tuesday night at Joe Daniel's bar and grill.

Michael Leonard, Palos Heights director of parks and recreation, said the goal will be to receive bids on the project by the spring and break ground next fall.

"We want to move this along as quickly as we can because the community obviously wants to see it done, based on the statement they're making at the polls," Leonard said. "It addresses the needs of the community. We didn't get into the wants because wants are expensive. I think when you put a good, honest proposal together, people get behind it."